So You Want To See a Real Circus?
In the late 1800's and early 1900's the circus was a very popular form of entertainment. Traveling from town to town, they brought their shows filled with exotic animals, daring performers, and rousing music to adoring crowds.
One town in Indiana, USA proudly celebrates it's circus heritage every year. If you want to see a circus come to life in a small town big top, to see amateurs learning the craft, and to learn more of the history of the circus in the US, a visit to "Circus City" Peru, Indiana will be memorable.
A Visit to Peru Indiana
For a number of years, I had seen occasional news articles about a circus training camp and performance in Peru, Indiana. Finally, in the summer of 2008, I decided to make the trek to this small town to see it for myself. I had been to larger, modern circuses and even visited the Ringling Brothers museum in Sarasota, Florida many years before, but I must admit the Peru Amateur circus was a different experience, a rather authentic and memorable event.This page will give you a bit of background and a taste of what this town, otherwise known as Circus City, and it's annual festival offer for the young and old alike.
Peru Amateur Circus: An Off Season Visit
Episode Fourteen - American Discovery Trail
Mike tours the Circus Hall of Fame in the off-season. Located in Peru, Indiana it's the home of Circus City Festival - The Greatest Amateur Show on Earth.
Runtime: 5:24
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A Bit of History
The circus came to Peru, Indiana in 1884 as local businessman, Colonel Ben Wallace brought his show to town. Although his show traveled around a multi-state area, it always returned to Peru to winter. As the cirus grew, it became known as the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus and was considered a competitor to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey shows.After the demise of the Hagenbeck-Wallace show, other circuses used the Peru site for shows and wintering, including the brief presence of the Ringling Brothers circus, until the 1930's.
The love affair with the circus continued however, and in 1960 the Circus City Festival began which includes performances by the amateur circus.
The Circus City Festival
The Circus City Festival occurs for 10 days in July each year. It includes rides, games, food, entertainment, arts & crafts and much more. The parade includes authentic wagons, a calliope, floats, bands, clowns and other items of interest.One of the primary highlights of the Circus City festival of course is the circus performance itself. At least 10 performances are held each year and include a variety of acts from juggling and unicycles to trapeeze and highwire acts. It's a three hour long, three ring circus complete with clowns and a full circus band that plays nearly non-stop.
The beautifully costumed performers consist of 250 local area residents, most of them between 7 and 21 years of age. The band, a mix of amateur and professional musicians is also comprised of many area residents although there are some who come from across the country to volunteer their time and talents.
These performers have made a serious committment to the show. They begin practicing in March, perform a fairly grueling schedule during the July Circus City Festival Days, travel to surrounding states for additional performances, and even participate in an international competition in Monte Carlo each January.
Peru Amateur Circus: See the Flying Trapeze Performance
Peru Amateur Circus Flying Trapeze 2008
The fly act at the Peru circus. It consists of 4 first year flyers and a first year catcher.
Runtime: 6:58
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Peru Amateur Circus: See the Single Cradle Performance
Peru Amateur Circus Single Cradle 2008
My partner and I performing in the Peru Amateur Circus. Check out this cool act!
Runtime: 5:07
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Peru Amateur Circus: See the Unicycle Performance
Peru Amateur Circus Unicycle 2008
This is my brother performing on the Unicycle at the Peru Amateur Circus!
Runtime: 3:40
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The International Circus Hall of Fame
The museum is located next to the big top where the Amateur Circus is held and can be visited from May 1 through October 31st. (see the website for specific hours)
Peru Amateur Circus: Near Disaster Before the 2008 Shows
All of the Animals Were Out!
Peru, IN Furniture Fire
The Old Ball Furniture Store Threatens Peru's Circus City Building.
Runtime: 0:30
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Peru Big Top
Big Top Circus, Peru Indiana
Brian Franzen elephants at the 2008 Big Top Circus, Circus Hall of Fame, Peru, Indiana
Runtime: 0:20
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Scheduled Circus City Festival Days
July 11-18, 2009
July 17-24, 2010
July 16-23, 2011
July 14-21, 2012
You can get tickets in advance by visiting the Circus City Festival site.
Finding the Circus City Festival and International Circus Hall of Fame
Travel to Peru Indiana for the Circus
Peru is 70 miles northeast of Indianapolis.
Posters, Books, and CD's
Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus at Peru, Indiana
Get a Poster
Learn More About the Circus
Circus Music
Circus City: Have you seen the Amateur Circus or would you like to see it?
Squidster wrote...
As a kid I've always been excited when the Circus came to town. Too bad there are hardly any traditional circuses left for my kids to enjoy. This is a great lens that might inspire us to visit Circus City one day. Blessed by a SquidAngel today! ^:)^
Posted May 26, 2009
lakeerieartists wrote...
Very cool lens. I love the circus, and this would be so great to see.
Posted February 08, 2009
boshemia wrote...
What a fun lens! Book wise I recommend "Water for Elephants" be added to your lens. It was a great book that took place behind the scenes of a depression era circus.
Posted January 09, 2009
JustBon-Crochet-Designs wrote...
Wow! What a fun and informative lens. Very well put together. Thanks for the info!
Posted September 13, 2008
bbug wrote...
I lived in Indiana for 18 years of my life and never knew this was in Peru. Thanks, very interesting reading.
Posted September 13, 2008
CabinFeverStudios wrote...
Very well put together! I have been there on one of my many "local vacations" and found it very interesting. You have been added to my Indiana group http://www.squidoo.com/groups/hoosiers and will be featured! Thank you!
Posted September 12, 2008
RichLeigh wrote...
A very interesting and informative lens! I didn't know anything about this before I started reading, I certainly know a lot more now though! Thank you. :)
Posted September 11, 2008
GypsyOwl wrote...
Delightful! :D I love the circus and this lens is such fun :D
Posted September 11, 2008
Introduction and A Bit of History: Valerie Everett.
A Visit to Peru, Indiana: Crystl.
The Circus City Festival: Tanakawho
This lens is also listed at Isle of Squid.
